Johannesburg

CHARLTON TWP. - A single motorcycle accident Sunday morning killed a Johannesburg man. According to the Michigan State Police Gaylord post, Harry Eugene Helgeson, 55, was traveling northbound on Crapo Lake Road near Lovells Road in Chalrton Township when he lost control of motorcycle, left the roadway and was fatally injured. He was transferred to Otsego Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead. State police said Helgeson was not wearing a helmet. The cause of the accident and whether alcohol or drugs were a factor were not known at this time.

JOHANNESBURG — The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are offering a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who poached a bald eagle in Otsego County near Johannesburg, likely Dec. 20-22. DNR conservation officers in Gaylord were alerted to the eagle poaching by an area resident who discovered the bird dead near Brown Road, northeast of Johannesburg. A preliminary examination by DNR veterinarians showed the cause of death to be a possible gunshot wound.

Helen Clark of Johannesburg reported to the Herald Times Monday afternoon that she has spotted her first two robins. Anyone who would like to share their robin sightings can call the Herald Times, 732-1111; or email photos to cengle@gaylordheraldtimes.com .

JOHANNESBURG - A hunter safety class is being offered Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 6-7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at Charlton Township Hall. Those interested in attending must register with Vic Ouellette by calling 731-1906 or 390-8695. The class is sponsored by Eagle 101.5, Jay's Sporting Goods and the Michigan Hunter Safety Instructor Association. Ouellette is considering teaching a ladies-only class this fall before rifle deer season. Anyone interested in attending should call him.

LEWISTON ? Johannesburg-Lewiston (J-L) Area Schools Supt. Jim Hilgendorf reported a 1.2 percent decrease in revenues and a 2.67 percent increase in expenditures on the proposed 2008-09 budget during a special board meeting Monday. The board unanimously approved the budget that was based on an anticipated count of 845 students making up $6,530,905 of the $7,393,306 total revenue. They finished the 2007-08 year with an amended budget of $7,479,402 in total revenues.

JOHANNESBURG - Troopers were dispatched to a complaint regarding an individual who had been showing a gun to other patrons of Paul's Pub, 10757 M-32 East, around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. According to reports, troopers met the complainant outside the establishment and were told that the subject, a 26-year-old Livonia man, had also gone outside and put the weapon in his vehicle under the passenger seat. Troopers interviewed another patron who said the subject had pointed the weapon at him and said “just joking.” Troopers received a search warrant for the subject's vehicle and found a replica 357 pellet gun along with three knives and a multi tool.

JOHANNESBURG - This is not your father's science class. “It's fun. It's much better than being in the classroom,” said Kevin Kennedy, who teaches science at Johannesburg-Lewiston High School. Kennedy's sophomores, juniors and seniors, who take biology or environmental science, spend their class time building a boardwalk in the woods behind their school. “This will be a beautiful nature trail with an observation platform and interpretive signs,” said Patricia Osburn, Otsego Conservation District administrator.

JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools Superintendent Rick Holt, who has been at the helm of the school district for just over a year, said that like many public schools, J-L is facing difficult challenges. “Our small size is our strength but also our challenge,” Holt said. “We can no longer afford to operate as we have in the past. We are at the point where we have to take drastic action.” Holt regretted that in order to cut costs for the 2013-14 school year, three teachers and four custodians were laid off and the sixth-grade class from Lewiston Elementary School will move to Johannesburg.

JOHANNESBURG - The Smile for the Miles Race will take place Thursday, July 4, at the Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve near Johannesburg. The race will be a 5K and 10K run/walk and will feature water stations throughout the course and postrace nutrition. Prizes will be given for the following age groups: Under 10; 10-14; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-plus. Preregistration fee is $20; it will cost $25 to register the day of the race. Contact hsepaul@comcast.net for more information.

JOHANNESBURG - Doris Wallis is about to get her own page in the history book of Johannesburg. Wallis, a longtime resident of Little Bear Lake, a “dedicated” library supporter and friend to just about everyone, has been named Parade Marshal for her town's Fourth of July celebrations by organizer Kim Samkowiak. “She's a Johannesburg icon,” said Maureen Derenzy, director of the Otsego County Library. Wallis has been involved with the Johannesburg branch of the library for three decades as a part-time employee and volunteer.

OTSEGO COUNTY - A single motorcycle accident Sunday morning killed a Johannesburg man. According to the Michigan State Police Gaylord post, Harry Eugene Helgeson, 55, was traveling northbound on Crapo Lake Road near Lovells Road in Chalrton Township when he lost control of motorcycle, left the roadway and was fatally injured. He was transferred to Otsego Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead. State police said Helgeson was not wearing a helmet. The cause of the accident and whether alcohol or drugs were a factor were not known at this time.

Martha Louise Killarney, 91, of Johannesburg died May 21, 2013 at her home. She was born on Dec. 24, 1921 in Gaylord to Guy and Josie (Teeter) Irwin. A true Gaylord native, Louise graduated from Gaylord High School in 1939. On Jan. 29, 1943, she married Floyd J. Killarney. Soon after they were married, Floyd and Louise moved to Saginaw and worked there for 30 years. 1976, they retired to Johannesburg. Louise was a long time member of both the Elks and the Eagles and enjoyed spending time there.

Robert Bale, 75, of Ovid, formerly of Johannesburg, died Feb. 27, 2013, at Avalon Hospice in Flint. Graveside service will be held Saturday, April 27, 2013, 11:30 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Johannesburg followed by a memorial service and luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at Gaylord Church of the Nazarene, 1399 Wilkinson Road. Memorial contributions in Robert's honor may be made to the Bale family through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.